Judge Orders Cruelty Trial

Teens Accused Of Killing Cat

October 26, 2002|By BILL LEUKHARDT; Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN — A Newington teenager deemed most responsible for the torture-death of her roommate's cat lost her bid Friday for a special form of probation to avoid trial, and possibly jail time and a criminal record.

Instead, Jill Mazurek, 19, and her co-defendants, Michael Oziomek and Michael Pajak, both 20, must stand trial for the death of Adonis, an 11-month-old cat that was shaved, painted, tossed into a Berlin lake and battered. Its body was never found.

Alexander said that state lawmakers never intended to extend the special probation to people accused of such violent acts as this. She said that all three co-defendants must be ready to start trial within a day's notice.

Each teenager has pleaded not guilty to cruelty to animals, a felony charge. All three are out on bond.

Alexander's ruling prompted Oziomek to withdraw his application for accelerated rehabilitation. Pajak was not eligible because of a prior criminal record.

Police say that Mazurek became angry in February with her roommate and took out her frustration on the woman's cat. Pajak and Mazurek are accused of repeatedly throwing the animal into Silver Lake in Berlin as Oziomek watched. Mazurek also allegedly struck the creature with a bottle and smashed it into a concrete block.

Outside of court Friday, a small, vocal group of animal lovers applauded the judge's ruling.

``We're so happy,'' said animal rights activist Lidy Woickelman of Southington. She was wearing cloth cat's ears and leading chants of ``Jail for Jill'' and ``Justice for Adonis.''

She said the 15 protesters on hand included members of Friends of Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

``This was almost like a methodical killing of a helpless animal,'' Woickelman said.

Catherine Towle, the woman who owned Adonis, was in court to watch the proceedings. Afterward, she said she supported the judge's decision. Towle said the incident apparently was sparked by her decision to evict Mazurek and Pajak from Towle's apartment.

The ``only thing that would please me is if she [Mazurek] gets the help she needs,'' Towle said.

Mazurek's attorney, Douglas Pelletier, said later that his client is receiving psychiatric treatment for several problems and will continue to do so.